Twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, and twenty-seven!

23--Evening worship service. Friends and family worshiping together (any time). Many times I don't FEEL like going. I am convinced the devil (or my flesh) is trying to get me to miss a blessing, because when I go, it is always so encouraging and growing and refreshing and just plain wonderful. A life well lived--Mr. Ken Matthews, who is now all healthy and restored physically, and abiding with the Precious Savior he loved and served so well while on earth--one of the most Godly men I've ever known. And his sweet family--love, prayers, and comfort to them all as they adjust to life here without him: bittersweet--knowing he's happier than he's ever been, but humanly, missing him terribly and painfully--weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning!

24--Fall (the season) again! I am just loving this time of year.

25--Family over for dinner--again. My kids around the table laughing and sharing never ceases to amaze, delight, and fulfill me. Not much greater gift...I love you all so much (and miss the two far away in WV--glad we at least get to skype and pray for each other and that it WILL go much faster than we think....when we look back...)

26--Forgiveness--so full and so free--not just the part, but the whole! wow! What else can I add? Antibiotics to heal illnesses I fail to diagnose properly, resilient kids who endure my many, many mistakes...love so amazing....

27--glasses and contacts that allow me (who cannot read the big E at the doctor's) to see clearly things of this earth--and the Holy Spirit who allows the spiritual scales to fall off so I can see the things of God more clearly (now if I could just keep my spiritual eyes OPEN...)

Extras--FRIENDS! Life here is so beautiful and fun with all of you! I miss you when I don't see you. I am looking forward to times together in the future. Thanks for all the times you all lift me up when I am down and help me with weddings and parties and anything I need help with and all the laughter over the years and prayers and bike rides and campfires and graduations and even sorrows. All of you are really family, not just friends--praise God for you ALL! Christmas only 58 days away, birthdays, leaves, cookies, pretty tablecloths, flowers, phones, comfy tennis shoes, vacuum cleaners....

Thankful My Hubby is Coming Home!

Number 22--SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thankful my husband is coming home tonight! I miss him terribly!He is truly my best friend and soul mate!

Also thankful for open windows and crisp breezes, hazelnut coffee, reunions (not the formal kind--the meeting up kind) with family and friends, Mexican food, vacations and looking forward to vacations, my new grand nephew James born this morning and named after my father, the miracle of births,

for the Pro-life movement (by the way, a pro-life movie is showing at our church tonight at 6:30; Congressman Andy Harris will be there, too);

white chocolate;

clean sheets;

ability to get out and walk!

Thankful 18, 19, 20, 21

18--Crunching of fallen leaves, a sound that brings many sweet memories, such as a little boy on a bike purposefully riding through these leaves, saying, "Listen, it sounds like rain," and it did, and it was so precious, and endearing, and I, too, would intentionally divert my bike through the leaves to hear it...and still do!


19--Grocery shopping trips that take less than an hour!



20--Safe travel for family and friends!


21--the ultra-fast communication we have nowadays--I know it can be a distraction and even a burden, but looking at the pros of it--when loved ones are far away, we can instantly get in touch with a text, just to say hi or to convey important information. CONNECTION--with others, so important to me!

Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen

14--Not being a teenager


15--Pain medicine


16--Bike riding on an absolutely gorgeous day--well, bike riding almost any time! I love biking!


17--Friends who pray with and for me!

11, 12, 13

thankful #11--skype--talking and seeing loved ones far away

thankful #12--Health! why is it so often that I forget what a gift this is? One day, one hour, one minute of not feeling well sure reminds me. But I want to be thankful for it all the time. I am so blessed to be able to do all the things I can do--and I don't suffer pain or illness. . .wow. Thank you, thank you, dear Lord!

thankful #13--chocolate :>)

Thankfuls 5-10 and more

Ok, so I told you I didn't get on much--but here goes anyway!

#5--knowing how to read and books! Libraries where I can get books--free! Oh, how I love reading!


#6--Stephanie, Eric, Mason, and Jasper!

#7--Michelle visiting!! what fun!

#8--A new gas grill! woo hoo! Our other one, given us by a very very dear friend and have had years and years and was, as Luke so aptly described, going to be just a pile of rust some day when we went out to grill...oh, and for the dear couple who gave us the other grill so many years ago; it gave us many delicious meals and lots of good memories.

#9--the Bible (no kidding, no just saying it because it is so obviously the "right" thing to say); what truth, what love, what conviction, what encouragement, comfort, teaching, and so much more. Everything else and everyone else will change or disappoint at some time or another, but the Word of God remains steadfast and true forever and ever...thanks be to God for giving us His "very word, spoken to" us!

#10--looking FORWARD--anticipation--hope--new mercies every morning. What a privilege to be able to start again, to look ahead, to press on, to forget what lies behind....


Extras--family and friends around the table, laughing and sharing....safety in travel....being outside on lovely days...sitting around a fire...hugs...a dog who adores you no matter what...a written letter in the mail....

Thankful 1, 2, 3, 4--and more

SOOOOOO--I just saw the thankful challenge for October--and it is the greatest idea! I know I will never get on here every day (reasons: I cannot control myself on the computer; I waste more time than I use it for good; I rarely get access to a computer in my house--others are completing much more important tasks on them all the time...) BUT I am going to try and post whenever I can. I read 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp a couple months ago and it has changed (positively) my attitude and understanding of living here for Jesus on this broken planet. I started the journal and am up in the 900s but I plan to keep going as it helps me turn my eyes to the LORD and not just wallow in the circumstances and my self pity--He is sovereign! He grows us and blesses us ALL the time, even when we don't FEEL it or notice it. Thank you, all, for starting this challenge--may we spread the glorifying of God all over this old world! (oh, and the thankfuls are not in any order! Just list 'em as they come!)

Thankful 1--for my friend Marie <3, one of the sweetest people on earth

Thankful 2--for my faithful, loving, Godly, patient, fun, wonderful husband of almost 28 years, Tim (you're the best!) <3 <3

Thankful 3--for my dearest friend of over 22 years, Suzanne, who lifts me up from the miry pit and points me back to Jesus <3

Thankful 4--for my 5 super children, almost all grown up, and striving to walk the talk and grow in the Lord and follow His ways (i want to thank for each individually if i can get to it--you are all unique and wonderful in so many ways!) And for my three fantastic sons-in-law! Wow!

Extra thankful for the day-- (once you start, it's hard to stop--and you just want to keep going!)--for the season of Fall! Love the crispness, snuggling in blankets and fleeces, lower humidity, and wood smoke smells....)